Greensboro College for Women - Brock Historical Museum of ...

Greensboro College for Women
The
Location
HE OLDEST chartered college for women in the State of North Carolina
is located on West Market Street in the beautiful City of Greensboro.
Greensboro, a city of about 30,000 inhabitants, in the center of
the famous Piedmont section of North Carolina, noted for its salubrious
and delightful climate, is a railroad center easily accessible from all parts of
the United States. The city is noted for intelligence, refinement, and morality.
The beauty, healthfulness, and accessibility of the situation, the solid financial
basis of its material prosperity, the elevated mental and moral tone of its
society, result in a concentration of material appliances and intellectual resources
for the higher education of women not to be surpassed by any community
in this country. It is the best location in the State for a great college
for women. High on an eminence in the midst of a beautiful campus of
twenty-five acres in the best residential section of the City, the buildings of
Greensboro College for Women are delightfully situated.
History and Growth
Greensboro College for Women has a history reaching far back into the
period of ante-bellum life. It was chartered in 1838 as Greensboro Female
College and is the second oldest chartered institution for women in the South.
The corner stone of the first building was not laid until 1843, and it was not
until 1846 that the school opened its doors for students. The first President
was the Rev. Solomon Lea. At once the college drew to its halls many stu-
dents from the far Southern States.
The College has numbered among its presidents of the past such nota-
ble men and women as Dr. A. M. Shipp, Dr. Charles F. Deems-founder of
the Church of the Strangers in New York City, Dr. T. M. Jones, Dr. B. F.
Dixon, Dr. Frank L. Reid, Dr. Dred L. Peacock, and Mrs. Lucy H. Robertson.
The entire plant of the college has twice been entirely destroyed by
fire. But each time from the ashes of the old has been built a stronger and
a greater college. From the final rebuilding of the college in 1904 the growth
of the institution has been remarkable. Each year the Trustees have been
forced by increasing demands, to provide additional dormitories larger and
better equipped laboratories and class rooms, and new equipments of various
kinds. The beautiful campus has been made more beautiful.
Standards of
admission have been advanced, courses of instruction have been added and
raised, new professors and instructors have been secured, and facilities of
every kind have been rapidly increased. The college buildings now number
six.

Besides offering the degree courses, A. B. and B.S. in the Literary
Department, and B.M. in the Music Department, Greensboro College for
Women provides thorough training in Home Economics, Expression, Busi-
ness, Art, Piano, Pedagogy, Religious Education, and Secondary Education.
The college is one of only two A-grade colleges in Southern Methodism which
offers the course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Music.
Within the last four years the number of students taking regular
courses has more than doubled.
The State Board of Examiners has placed Greensboro College for
Women in group A, which signifies that a student completing the required
course is eligible to teach any grade in the public schools of the State or to
serve as principal of a high school without examination.
Faculty
Recent additions and changes to the college faculty have been made
with a view to conforming to the high standard which is now required for
membership in various college associations.
The heads of the various departments in the college and conservatory
are as follows: President S. B. Turrentine, D. D., A. B., A. M. University of
North Carolina, Vanderbilt University, Chair of Bible ; Emily A. Siler, A. B.
Monroe Female College, A. B. Wesleyan College, Professor of Religious Pedagogy
; President Emerita Lucy H. Robinson, Professor of Bible ; W. M. Curtis,
Ph. B., University of North Carolina, Vanderbilt University, Associate Professor
of Bible; Annie McKinnie Pegram, A.B., A.M., Trinity College, Graduate
Courses at Columbia University, Professor of Mathematics and Science ;
Jennie Thornley Clarke, B.S., Austin Female Seminary ; A. M., Peabody College
for Teachers ; Diploma Sauveur School of Languages ; Graduate Courses
in University of Chicago and Harvard University, Professor of History and
University of Chicago and Harvard University, Professor of History and
Social Science; D. F. Nicholson, A. B., University of North Carolina; Post-
Graduate Emory College ; A. M., Harvard University, Professor of Science
and Education ; Leonard B. Hurley, A. B., A. M., Trinity College, Graduate
Work University of Chicago, Professor of English; Flora B. Hall, A. B.,
Florida State College ; A. B., Syracuse University ; Teachers’ Training Course
at Westfield, New York, Professor of French, Associate Professor of English ;
Elizabeth A. Weber, A. B., George Washington University, Bachelor’s Diploma
in Education, Teacher’s College, George Washington University, Professor
of Latin ; Conrad Lahser, Graduate Courses in Columbia University,
Royal Academy of Art, Hochschule fuer Musik, Berlin, Germany; Professor
of German and Theoretical Branches of Music; Benjamine S. Bates, New
England Conservatory of Music, Normal Department ; Pupil of Arthur J.
Hubbard Boston; B. Stevens, Boston; Signor Chev. Dante Del Papa, Rome,
Professor of Vocal Music ; Mortimer Browning, Graduate in Organ, Peabody
Conservatory of Music, Professor of Pipe Organ, Associate Professor of
Piano ; Marjorie Gaskins, Graduate of New England Conservatory of Music,
Associate Professor of Piano ; Carolyn V. Stearns, A. B., Smith College, Pro-
Professor of History of Music, Associate Professor of Piano; Agnes Hall Chasten

Graduate of
Professor of Piano ;
concert Meister Gents
Instruments; E. J.
Courses in Art in
Hopper, Graduate
Courses at University
Columbia University, Pro
Diploma in Expression, Graduate Work, Central College, Ark. ; Pupil of
Mme. Bertha Kunz Baker, New York, Professor of Expression and Physical
Culture ; Mattie H. Caldwell, Greensboro College for Women ; State Normal
and Industrial College, Professor of Business.
Alumnae
Of the 872 graduates of the college many are actively engaged in edu-
cational work throughout the country. Education in North Carolina has felt
the influence of the graduates of this the oldest of the women’s colleges to
be chartered in the State, from 1848 until the present day. Many of them
have continued their studies in the great universities of the land, and are
lending their influence toward the upbuilding of the country.
However great may be the pride of the alumnae in the age of their
Alma Mater it must be admitted that they can not be classed as antiquities.
They are constantly taking on new life and we find their methods and plans
as modern as the college itself. They have been carrying on a State-wide
campaign having as its object the definite connection of every old student
with the college through membership in the Alumnae Association. Wherever
even two or three of these old students are found together it is resulting in
local alumnae chapters which not only keep the members in touch with the
college but also keep the college before the public. Results:-High School
Seniors-Greensboro College girls-Alumnae. Girls whose mothers, grand-
mothers, and great-grandmothers before them were students of Greensboro
College for Women are to be found in large numbers among the student
body. This gives an especial charm and attraction to the college.
College Ideals
There is real democracy at Greensboro College for Women. Self-gov-
ernment is no small part of an education. Students here know that they are
respected and trusted. The Students’ Association and Students’ Council allow
them through their representatives to participate in the government of the
college, and the consciousness of responsibility and pride in the fact that every
young woman is on her honor tends to develop self-respect and womanly
character.
The spirit of Greensboro College girls-the predominating combination
of loyalty and enthusiasm-is distinctive.
Greensboro College for Women itself resting upon a firm Christian
foundation, holds that experimental religion is the one and only basis of true

excellence and happiness. Therefore the bringing of each student to a realiza-
tion of this experience is an earnest aim of the college. The development of
character and spiritual power is an object of supreme endeavor. Our aim is to
build beautiful womanhood, embodying the pure heart, sweet spirit, noble
purpose, and devoted service founded on faith in God.
Social Life
Ample provision is made at Greensboro College for Women for culti-
vating the social side of college life. Various student activities both pleasant
and profitable, constantly occur. Many delightful occasions for social inter-
course are provided by the Literary Societies, the Young Women’s Christian
Association, the Dramatic Club, the Glee Club, and the various other clubs of
the college. The Glee Club on its tour visits several of the other standard
colleges of North Carolina.
A series of concerts is given at the college each year for the students
by artists of national reputation. Recently such artists as Edward Morris,
pianist, Lillian Haywood, soprano, Abram Goldfuss, violinist, and Bertha
Kunz Baker, reader, have appeared here. The students of the college also
have opportunity of hearing artists of the highest rank, such as Sarah Bern-
Bernhardt Maude Adams, Christine Miller, Maud Powell, Ada Gardner, Reid
Miller, Nevada Van der Vere, and orchestras such as the Russian Symphony
and Creatore’s, who appear from time to time in Greensboro.
The music faculty, all trained artists, give each fall a series of recitals
of the highest order. Student recitals occur weekly, and public concerts are
frequently given.
College life here is full of activity and interest. There is never a lack
of social attractions and activities on hand where three hundred young women
of congenial tastes live together. And coming as they do from the best homes.
all over the South these girls form a homogenous, refined, thoughtful, ambitious,
sincere, superior group. It is indeed a privilege to be a member of such
a body of young women.
PETRIE COMPLETE SERVICE. HIGH POINT. N.C.